Actually, given what you’ve come and posted, I think we’ve been quite civil!
I note we are still awaiting answers to where you get your figures from to substantiate the wild claims you’ve been making.
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Genuine question, why do we need Parachutes for Cadets? I get the added level of safety but do they actually provide any real safety? Have any Cadets actually been saved by a having a Parachute in living memory?
How many sorties would that create which would otherwise be lost to Wing limits? How much time would it save on the day, that would create at least an extra sortie or two.
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For balance @Drainingtheswamp I think this a sad outlook. The AEF/VGS system needs more aircraft to provide the services that are promised. There are issues within the organisation I’m sure but that’s not the only issue. Switching to drones and space appeals to some but while the organisation promises flying to all the provision is not adequate. If the organisation moves away from flying, that its not a problem, and it would reflect the modern RAF but it should stop advertising mass flying provision as its USP.
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It would also then remove the ‘weight’ restriction that mean our smaller cadets currently can’t fly!
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What figures have I not provided?
You can’t demand I post internal data on an anonymous public forum any more than I could demand you post your personal details or Air Cadet unit records.
Why can’t I? What have you got to hide? If, as you’ve said, they would be available under an FOI then there is nothing sensitive about them that means they can’t be here.
And I’m not claiming that there are “tens of thousands of sorties a year” and that they are wasted by units not turning up, you are. So it isn’t much to ask for some proof of that.
Hi @daws1159, great question. I can’t speculate on the exact level of safety added by parachutes. I fly AEF, GA and for an airline. I personally feel the parachute adds value to the sortie. I would be uncomfortable operating the aircraft for aerobatics without one with someone else’s child beside me. But that aside saving from the wind limits would be minimal. As @Victor_Zulu highlighted, 25kts is quite breezy. Generally any more comes with turbulence which is not ideal for an inexperienced passenger. You would have to have an upper limit for safety in any case. There aren’t many days when it’s good passenger flying weather and the wind is above 25kts at the surface.
As for the time saving, the cadets are kitted while the previous wave is up so no lost time.
Historically I can’t think of a single engine aircraft the RAF has operated that didn’t use parachutes since the First World War.
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@Drainingtheswamp if you want to see how to post constructively and harmoniously, please see the above by @Jed.
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Actually @daws1159 to add a practical example of why I feel it is beneficial!
In the case of a fire that won’t go out, it literally would save your life.
You’ve been treated civilly, compared to the contempt you’ve shown the users here.
If you are indeed a representative of 2FTS, then it’s in a far worse state than our wildest fears.
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- Misses point of thread *
The Gazelle? 
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So the cadets can look and feel ally? 
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Fair point! But to be fair I’m not sure there’s a rotor proof personal parachute in production. Also SE helicopter! Mad…
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Thanks, that clarifies that - as I said it’s been a while (and whilst I’m aware that majority of mil A/C use primarily UHF) couldn’t quite remember if the Tutors whilst registered on the civil register used the UHF Frequencies - would that mean that whomever stations the UHF box at EGUB is working weekends? despite their VHF frequencies being closed?
And regarding your point in your earlier reply to me - yes, some of the replies i’ve ‘bitten’ onto have been frustrating, i think the wording of Cadet Crosswind Limits was a misunderstanding pertaining to ‘sending a cadet solo’ as opposed to an ‘AEF sortie with Cadets.’
Unfortunately as has been mentioned - it appears that only some of the points raised are being replied too hence the reason a lot of us are frustrated.
@Jed could you perhaps clarify on the ‘need’ to operate with full ATC and a traffic service and how (if AEF deployment) were to proceed that would be the procedure - would they only be deployed somewhere where they could receive both full ATC & a TS? (As this view was conflicting)
@Victor_Zulu no problem. I’m happy to answer any questions i can. As an avid reader of this forum I feel there is a lack of understanding on all sides surrounding the AEF provision.
6 FTS should (as opposed to must) operate with a traffic service. This is different from 3 FTS (regular EFT tutor as was). This is a very pragmatic dispensation to allow AEF on weekend days at locations where the provision is simply not possible. ATC is a different matter and as you know the risk of mid air collision is higher in the vicinity of the airfield. I believe ATC is mandatory for cadet operations but I would need to check the regulation. AEF always has RFF coverage so the deployment would have to be to a ‘suitable’ airfield.
To summarise, deployment airfields would probably need RFF and ATC but the radar service would be down to a local risk assessment of the airspace density.
Finally I don’t know about the RAF benson operation. But I would say that at my AEF we receive radar services from a non LARS non ‘public’ unit, not all RAF radar units provide a service to the general public.
I hope I’ve answered your questions?
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A few things to mull over.
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This is a 2 FTS (gliders) survey that also asks cadets questions about their 6 FTS (Tutors) ‘aerospace experiences’.
Was the commandant 6 FTS even consulted about this?
Does he know that 2 FTS will be analysing data and writing a report about the performance of his ‘train set’? -
How many people are involved in reading the narratives and analysing the data in the received surveys?
Just supposing that half the cadet force bother responding to the survey, how long would it take 1, 2, 3 or even 10 people to read 20,000 surveys? Or, will they not bother because the report is already written!!! -
The survey is fundamentally flawed.
You are asking cadets to fill in a survey on their flying and gliding experiences. If they haven’t had any flying or gliding experiences, they’re not going to bother filling in a survey on something they haven’t done! Therefore, you only get returns from cadets with positive experiences, and hence, all is good within 2 FTS, so roll out the pre-written report!
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I have told my 2 kids (1 AEF flight with 10 years membership between them) about the survey and encouraged them to complete it. Put it out there and encourage cadets to complete and it may impact positive change. 
1 is more interested in flying so am waiting on joining a BGA club as the opportunities are rare and seem pot luck. Though I am in a position to be able to provide that opportunity the majority of cadets in the area would not be able to and it will be a big commitment as their isn’t actually a BGA club closer than the nearest VGS so will be 2 hours each way travel, nearest VGS is only 90 mins and this is to major city not out in the sticks somewhere.
To be fair to the organisation though when I was a cadet in the mid 90s whilst the majority of cadets who wanted to got experience flights on a squadron that paraded 90+ consistently there were only 2 during my time that managed to get a gliding scholarship and get solo.
Edited to say my point in the final paragraph is that whilst quotes of the 2018 FOI response point out the poor percentage of cadets progressing in my experience it has always been a very low percentage. 2 cadets during my 4 years as a cadet. In 8 years first time around as staff I only remember a single cadet getting solo gliding and he also completed a Flying Scholarship. I took cadets flying/gliding about 5 times over those 8 years though so did see a massive drop compared to my time only a few years earlier but like many have commented here was more AT focussed during that time so didn’t let it bother me.
On reflection was/is that attitude of I’m more interested in X generally, whilst offering undoubtedly a great cadet experience within your control, part of the problem.
Pretty sure I’ve offered the opportunity to send it to a variety of valid @rafac.mod.gov.uk addresses for internal publication.
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The email does contain an address to send concerns about the survey to, could try that and see what response you get…?
@Turbo the BGA junior gliding setup is excellent and if you have a junior gliding centre near you there are some great schemes. Hopefully there will be more pathway links for cadets to access these once they have had a introductory RAFAC flying experience and liked it.